Nigeria’s crude oil production rises above OPEC quota, highest in 15 years
Abuja, June 2026 – Nigeria’s crude oil production has risen far in excess of prescribed OPEC to the highest level in 15 years as of May 2026.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NURRC) disclosed this in its latest crude oil production statistics.
Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) indicated that Nigeria produced an average of 1,530,354 barrels of crude oil per day in May 2026, representing 102 per cent of the country’s 1.5 million barrels per day quota approved by OPEC.
When condensate production of 170,446 barrels per day is added, Nigeria’s total oil output climbed to 1,700,800 barrels per day,
According to a statement issued by NUPRC on Thursday, Nigeria’s latest oil production performance reflected sustained improvements in the country’s upstream operations and marks the strongest production level recorded in recent months.
“Nigeria’s oil production witnessed an upswing in May 2026, averaging 1,530,354 barrels of crude oil and 170,446 barrels of condensates per day, bringing the total combined production to 1,700,800 barrels per day and consolidating Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer.
“The average crude oil production recorded during the month of May represents 102 per cent of Nigeria’s 1.5 million barrels per day production quota allocated by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
“Production performance during the review period remained robust, with combined crude oil and condensate output ranging between a low of 1.51 million barrels per day and a peak of 1.86 million barrels per day,” the statement said.
NUPRC said the 1.53 million bpd recorded in May 2026 represented the highest Nigeria has witnessed since January 2025 when crude oil production hit 1.538 million bpd. The latest crude oil production statistics thus represents a 15-month high.
On month-on-month basis, production rose by 2.77 per cent in May 2026 as against 1.48 million bpd in April.
Combined crude oil and condensate output increased from 1.48 million bpd in February to 1.54 million bpd in March, 1.66 million bpd in April, and then 1.7 million bpd in May.
